Sidney Sussex Conference and Events Brochure

Conferences & Events

Sidney Sussex

College

GETTING MARRIED DINING CONFERENCES USEFUL INFO ACCOMMODATION ABOUT 1

Conferences & Events

Welcome to

Sidney Sussex College

Beautiful surroundings The College buildings and gardens are one of Cambridge's

best kept secrets.

Catering Our Chefs and Service Staff have won the Cambridge

College Catering Competition on multiple occasions, and

bring this expertise to catering for conferences and events.

Location We are centrally located on Sidney Street, surrounded by

the City's shops, bars and restaurants and a quick walk away

from the University's Colleges and lecture halls.

Experience With over 15 years' experience in organising events, from

private dinners and weddings to large-scale residential

conferences, we have the knowledge required to ensure that

your event is run efficiently.

Reputation Sidney Sussex College is renowned throughout the University as

being a friendly and close-knit community. This same

approachability carries forward into our conferences and events,

providing you with a positive and memorable experience.

Sidney Sussex is conveniently located at the very heart of historic

Cambridge, a medieval city renowned throughout the world for its

beauty, history and academic tradition. We are able to host a variety of

events in our beautiful grounds at Sidney Sussex College, from private

dining to weddings and from small meetings to large conferences.

Sidney Sussex College was founded in 1596 on the site of a dissolved

Franciscan friary, under the will of Lady Frances Sidney, Countess of

Sussex. The many distinguished alumni of the College include Oliver

Cromwell, five Nobel Prize winners and, reputedly, Sherlock Holmes.

The College is a well-kept secret: hidden behind our rather self-

effacing wall of Roman cement, visitors are surprised to find our

Elizabethan brickwork, the charming Cloister Court, an exquisite

Rococo Hall and our beautiful ancient gardens.

During term time, it is home to around 450 students and 75 Fellows.

The historic courts, function rooms and dining hall of the College also

provide a truly wonderful setting for a range of events. Meetings,

dinners and other non-residential functions, whether single- or multi

-day can be held throughout the year. Residential conferences &

weddings can be held in College outside the University terms.

Sidney Sussex College has been a premier conference venue for over

15 years.

The College offers a wide range of meeting rooms and

accommodation. The College's beautiful buildings and gardens

occupy a central location within easy walking distance of

Cambridge's main tourist attractions and University buildings.

Our dedicated Conference Team have planned countless meetings,

dinners, weddings and conferences. Their friendly approach and

planning expertise will ensure that your event runs without a hitch.

Historic Setting Modern Facilities &


http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/aboutus/people/department.html?deptrequest=F

The central location of Sidney Sussex makes it an ideal base

from which to explore Cambridge.

We have over 250 rooms available during the vacations for the

use of conference delegates, wedding guests and bed and

breakfast guests.

130 standard rooms are available on site. These are located in

Cloister Court, a beautiful, recently refurbished Victorian

building; Garden Court , where some rooms overlook the

Master’s Garden; and Sussex House.

We have an additional block of 45 standard rooms in

Cromwell Court, which is located only 300 yards from College.

80 ensuite rooms are available on site, in the modern Blundell

Court, which has lift access. There are also a small number of

twin and double ensuite rooms on site.

Accommodation

“Although the town is very busy in summer, once you pass the gate,

you get in another world of peace and quietness.” - B&B Guest


Check-in is available from midday on the day of arrival, but

may be available earlier by prior arrangement. Check out on

the day of departure is required 10am. If you need to store

your luggage temporarily, please speak with the Porters.

All rooms come with tea and coffee-making facilities, soap and

towels, and are serviced daily. Internet is provided at no extra

charge: wireless internet is available in ensuite rooms and

wired broadband in standard rooms.

Bookings include breakfast in our College Hall with the choice

of hot and cold items. All other meals must be arranged prior

to arrival.

Sidney Sussex has two outstanding courtyards surrounded by

Grade I listed buildings dating from 1596. You are welcome to

stroll or sit in the Fellows Garden and Cloister Court and enjoy

the peace and quiet of the magnificent surroundings. A guide

to the gardens may be purchased from the Porters’ Lodge.

We also have a squash court (free, 8am-8pm, please provide

your own equipment), two television rooms and a pay-as-you-

go launderette facility (with iron and ironing board).

The newly completed gym can be used by guests staying for a

minimum of four nights. There is a small charge and you are

required to complete a form and a short induction.

The College Library is not available for use by guests.

However, photocopying and printing facilities may be

provided by arrangement with the Conference Manager.

Facilities


An array of conference facilities and meeting rooms

are available at the College.

These range from beautiful historic rooms in the

ancient heart of the college, to bright modern and

contemporary spaces equipped with the latest

technology.

All of these versatile meeting spaces can be arranged

in a variety of configurations to suit your needs.

Whether it’s a board meeting for 10 people or a

presentations for 100, Sidney Sussex has a room to

suit your event.

A range of audio-visual equipment is available for

hire at an additional cost, including data projectors,

laptops and microphones.

Conferences Meetings

&


“Sidney Sussex is an excellent venue and the staff clearly pull together to run things very efficiently while also presenting a very friendly face.

Thanks to your help, our event went very smoothly, and everyone enjoyed themselves, as well as having a good productive conference. ”

- Residential Conference Organiser

Meeting Rooms Theatre Style

Capacity

Boardroom Style

Capacity

Classroom Style

Capacity

Chapel Court Meeting

Rooms (x2)

15—20 12 10

Garden Court Room 20

JCR 60 22 24

Jesus Lane Meeting

Rooms (x 4)

12—20 10—16 5—12

Knox-Shaw Room 40 22 15

Old Library 50 20 15

William Mong Hall 100 40 40

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Catering is also an important part of many gatherings.

A wide selection of refreshments can also be provided on request

and served to suit your schedule.

Tea and biscuits, coffee and cake, sandwiches, light finger and fork

buffets can be served in or close to your main meeting room, or we

can arrange for another room to be available for you.

In addition, the College can offer a range of more substantial meal

options to suit your group including cafeteria meals, packed meals

and private dining. These can be enjoyed in our College Hall, or in

a range of other dining rooms around the College.

Sample menus and wine lists can be found on our website.

Dining Room Seated Capacity

College Gardens (marquee) 100—150

College Hall 110

College Hall & Balcony 125

Knox-Shaw 35

Old Library 32

Old Parlour 15

William Mong Hall 60

Dining at Sidney is an experience to remember.

Described as a palace rather than a College by an early visitor, the college

provides an atmospheric setting for a range of special events.

The College has an excellent reputation for taking care of its visitors and

for providing award winning cuisine served in beautiful, traditional

rooms.

There are several dining rooms available that can cater for anything from

intimate dinners for 10 to grand banquets for 126.

Minimum numbers for private lunches and dinners are 10

guests. Our College Hall can seat a maximum of 125 guests if the

balcony is used. In some circumstances a marquee can be erected

in the gardens to accommodate higher numbers.

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The College Hall is an

Elizabethan building remodelled

by the Georgian architect Sir

James Burrough.

It is suitable for fine dining

dinners and wedding breakfasts

for up to 126 guests when the

balcony, High Table and all

three sprigs are used.

The Old Parlour is located in

Hall Court, next to the College

Hall. It is suitable for smaller,

more intimate dinners for up to

12 guests around a single table.

The Old L ibrary i s a

wood-panelled room with

medieval stained glass windows.

It provides a more intimate

setting than the College Hall for

dinners, or can be used for

buffets, drinks receptions and

refreshments.

Tables can be arranged to seat 20

in a boardroom layout, 22

around a T-shaped table or 32

around a horseshoe-shaped table.

The Knox-Shaw Room is

located in Cloister Court. This

room is suitable for hot or cold

buffets for up to 35. It can also

be used to host drinks

receptions with canapés or

meetings with light snacks.

The beautiful College gardens

make an excellent setting for

events for up to 250 people.

Cloister Court Gardens can be

used for a range of dining

options from small garden

parties to large events requir-

ing marquees. Situated at the

rear of Cloister Court, Fellows

Lawn is a large flat area which

is well suited to marquees.

Tennis Court Garden is a

smaller, enclosed garden in the

corner of College and is a

popular venue for BBQs and

garden parties.

The modern William Mong

Hall can cater for up to 60 din-

ers. The foyer area and garden

outside the hall can be used to

accommodate refreshments or

a bar.

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“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal, which was absolutely delicious - we could not have wished for better. It was a treat!” - Lunch Guest

The food served at the College is of an extremely high quality

and reflects the achievements of our Chefs and Service Staff.

The College Kitchens, with a team of expert chefs and front-of-

house staff, are widely regarded as among the best in

Cambridge and have won the University Culinary Competition

on numerous occasions. Furthermore, our Head Chef recently

won a gold medal at the national Hotelympia event in London

after being named the University Caterers Organisation Chef of

the Year.

All food and wine should be pre-ordered. Our range of menus

for 2012 - 2013 offer something for every type of function: Sid-

ney offers canapés, refreshments, finger & fork buffets along-

side the exquisite fine dining menus. Unfortunately the College

does not allow clients to supply their own food, drink or alco-

hol or to contract external caterers.

Bookings in the College Hall are for two hours for a three-

course meal with coffee, or two and a half hours for a four

course meal with coffee. Arrangements for other rooms must

be discussed with the Conference Office.

To help you plan your event, our menus, wine list and booking

form can be downloaded from our website:

www.sid.cam.ac.uk/confer

http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/confer

A unique setting, friendly and professional staff and award-winning cuisine make Sidney

Sussex the ideal place for your perfect day. We are committed to ensuring that every wedding

reception at Sidney is a wonderful day, providing memories that will be treasured for years to

come.

We are delighted to host wedding receptions, both for couples who choose to get married in

the College Chapel and for those who get married elsewhere. Only couples with a close

connection to the College can hold their wedding ceremony in the Chapel and should contact

the Chaplain.

During University vacations the historic courts, function rooms and dining hall of the College

provide a truly wonderful setting for a wedding reception, located at the very heart of the City

of Cambridge. With separate spaces for drinks receptions, wedding breakfasts and evening

functions, Sidney is the perfect place to celebrate your big day.

We realise that your Wedding Day is one of the most important days of your life and our

dedicated Conference Team will be happy to assist you in tailoring your reception to your

individual requirements, ensuring that you have a wonderful day which you will remember for

years to come. Our Head Chef and Hall Manager can offer expert advice on menus, wines and

the finer details needed to ensure your reception passes without a hitch.

Opportunities for wedding receptions at Sidney are limited and much sought after, and to avoid

disappointment we advise couples to contact us as early as possible.

unique. Your wedding day

is

“You are perfect just as you are. Thank

you for one of the happiest days of our

lives.” - Parents of the Bride



Our 2013 Package is designed for weddings of 70 guests and is charged per head. There are alternative options for smaller or large groups.

The package includes the following:

A drinks reception in the charming and spacious Cloister Court. In the event of wet weather, guests

can enjoy the shelter of the historic cloisters or the traditional Knox-Shaw Room.

A three-course wedding breakfast with wine, water and coffee in the magnificent College Hall,

which provides a splendid venue up to 125 guests. There are alternative options for smaller or

large groups.

During your Wedding Breakfast our Hall Manager is available to act as your Master of Ceremonies

to ensure your perfect day runs smoothly.

Candles, white table linen, College place cards, personalised menu cards and use of our cake stand

and knife are all included.

An evening reception in the William Mong Building, offering an outdoor seating area and foyer

ideal for a bar. holding up to 100 guests with chairs and tables around the outside of the room to

create space for a dance floor. Amplified music is permitted at wedding receptions, providing it

finishes by 11.15pm For evening receptions, a cash or credit bar can be set up to serve your

selection of drinks from our Bar List. Our license allows us to serve drinks until 11.30pm, and

the College is locked at midnight.

Use of the Old Library - a traditional wood-panelled room - during the evening, which is the

perfect way to increase the capacity of receptions provides a quieter seating area for guests

away from the main dance floor.

http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/confer/BarList2012.pdf


Further information can be found on the College website or by contacting:

If you are thinking of holding an event here you are more than welcome to arrange an opportunity to look around.

Alternatively, try the Virtual Tour on our website, which highlights some of the key parts of College.

Conference Office

Sidney Sussex College

Sidney Street

Cambridge

Tel: 01223 338850 or 01223 339703

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.sid.cam.ac.uk/confer

http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/aboutus/visitors/vtour/masters-garden.html

Sidney Sussex Conference and Events Brochure

Documents

college buildings

conferences events welcome

large conferences

sidney street

countess of sussex

range of events

organising events

variety of events